Tubing bleeder



Sept, 27 1927.

E. D. SMYSER TUBING BLEEDER Filed Mardh 1, 1926 2 Shee 1;sSheet l INVENTOR. ELMEJ a 5M rs EFF BY MATTORNEY.

I 1 1,643,908 Y Sept' 1927' E. D. SMYSER TUBING BLEEDER Filed Marh 1, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII//////// f, r l- INVENTOR. W/7/VE66E$ fLME/T ,0. 511475157? M ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 27, 1927! ELMEE SMYSEB, FELIiOW'S, CALIFORNIA,

SILliIITI-I' AND ONE-THIRD T0} FEEL E; WILLIAMS,

TUBING :Bmnnnn.

I A plication filedl March 1, 1926. Serial No. 91,632.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements, in tubing bleeders; for oil; wells and the like, and has particular reference to improvements in tubing bleedersof the type; set forth in my copending applications, Serial Number 19,7,44, filed h l c r, 1925', and Serial Number 36,733, filed June 12, 1925.

In, my last above mentioned co -pending application, I provided means operable upon turningof the well tubing for releasing the bleeder valve and embodying an elementrestrained froinrotation with the well tubing by means of outwardly bowed leaf springs, having atight or very effective frictional engagement with the inner surface of the well casing. While this construction is quite etficienh-the same, is: objectionable to a certain-extent" by reason of the fact that the leaf springs,after continuous use, become so worn be their effective frictional engagement with the well casing-that renewal of the same is necessary at undesirably frequent intervals. 7

It is accord'ngly the primary object-of the present invention to provide means whereby the'leaf springs may be constructed to only have slight frictional engagement with the well casing to thereby minimize wear upon the same the use of the device, and means whereby the before menlioned element of the valve releasing means iS- restrained from rotation in a more positive manner. 7

A- further object of the invention is to generally simplify and improve tubing bleeders-of the above character whereby the same will be more compact and durable in construction aswell as more effective inoper-ation.

Other objects will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the same consists; inthe novel form, combination and arrangement of parts. hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is" a fragmentary elevational view, of a well tubing equipped; with a bleeder constructed in accordance with the present invention, the tubing andbleeder being illustrated. in operative position within a well casing shown in'central longi-, tudinal section;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view showing parts of the well tubing and bleeder shown in Figure l and drawn" on a larger scale, the well tubing being in, an

elevated position preparatorytoturning the same for effecting unseating of'the bleeder valve; i

Figure 3 is, an enlarged fragmentary view of the well tubing, partly in elevation and partly in central" vertical section, and i'llus trating. the bleeder valve and adjacent parts Figure 4 is a transverse section taken upon line l4 of, Figure 1, but when the leaf springs are shifted relative to each other so that the locking plate or dog plate is shifted toward locking or casing-engaging position;

Figureb is an enlarged transverse sectional view illustrating the manner of attaching, the locking plate or dog to its sup porting leaf spring and Figure '6 is an enlarged longitudinal" section taken upon line- 66 of Figure 2 to disclose the construction of the bleeder valve. 7 I

Referring more in detail to the drawings, 5 indicates the lower section of a well or prunp tubing which is arranged within the well casingo, in the usual way, the tubing 5 being of considerably lesser size than the pump. casing 6 and disposed concentrically within the. latter so as to leave a cylindrical space between the tubing and easing as clearly shown in Figure 4, I i

- The lower tub ng section 5 is formed with an opening in the side thereof, and the wall of this opening is, preferably thickened to provide an outwardly projecting annular llb. or flange 7 which acts; as a re-enforcement; A tubular plug or seat memberS is remov-ably threaded into the opening of the tubing section 5 and is closed at its outer end by means of ahead or bleeder valve member 9 which is held in place to close the opening of the seat member 8v a fragile means or connection as indicated at 11' so that lealiingis prevented under normal conditions but, whereby the bleeder valve 9 may be forcibly dis-lodged or detached from the seat member 8 when it is desired to drain the fluid from the pump tubing 5 above the bleeder valve opening. The seat member 8 and the valve member 9 are pref erably integrally formed and an external annular groove provided so as to reduce the thickness of the seat member at the point of connection of the latter with the valve member 9 whereby the fragile connection 11 is formed. The seat member 8 is preferably provided with an external continuous flange as at 12 inwardly of the valve member 9 arranged to abut the flange 7 for limiting threading of the seat member into the open ing of the tubing section so that the valve member 9 is properly positioned externally of the tubing section 5 for being engaged by a striking member as will presently become apparent.

The pump tubing 5 is formed with an external annular enlargement above the bleeder opening as clearly shown in Figure 3, and this enlargement is externally threaded as indicated at 13. Adjustably threaded upon the enlargement is a sleeve 14 whose lower end portion is enlarged or flared as at 15 to form a striking member adapted to be brought forcibly downwardly into engagement with the valve member 9 so as to release the latter by destruction of the fragile means or connection 11. It is thus apparent that when the sleeve 14 is held from rotation, and the tubing section 5 rotated, said sleeve 14 will be caused to move downwardly so as to bring the enlargement 15 into engagement with the valve member 9 and thereby cause the latter to be displaced from the seat member 8 so that the opening in the latter will be opened for allowing the fluid to pass out of the pump tubing 5 into the portion of the well casing 6 disposed therebelow.

A pair of collars 16 and 17 are rotatably and slidably disposed upon the pump tubing 5 above the bleeder plug and in spaced relation to each other as shown clearly in Figure 1, which collars 16 and 17 are connected by a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinally extending resilient strips or leaf springs 18 which are normally outwardly bowed for frictional engagement with the inner surface of the well casing 6. A further pair of collars 19 and 20 are rotatably and slidably disposed upon the pump tubing 5 between and respectively adjacent the collars 16 and 17, and these collars 19 and 20 are also connected by a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinally extend.- ing resilient strips or leaf springs 21 which are normally outwardly bowed for frictional engagement with the inner surface of the well casing. The lower sleeve 17 is provided with a rigid depending arm 22, and the threaded sleeve 14 is provided with an outwardly projecting lug 23 as shown clearly in Figures 1 and 2. The arm 22 is of such length as to normally have its lower end spaced above the lug 23 as shown in Figure 1, but when the tubing 5 is elevated until the threaded sleeve 14 engages the sliding sleeve 17 as shown in Figure 2, the lug 23 will be disposed to engage the arm 22 In other words, when the pump tubing 5 is thus elevated, turning of said tubing will effect movement of the lug 23 into engagement with the arm 22 as shown in Figure 2. Loosely attached to the intermediate port on of one of the leaf springs 18 as by bolting or the like as indicated clearly at 24 in F igure 5, is a locking plate or dog 25 which projects laterally beyond one side of the associated spring 18 and. towards the tangentially disposed and inwardly offset in-,

termediate portion of one of the leaf springs 21 carried by the collars 19 and 20. The tangentially disposed and inwardly offset portion of the leaf spring 21, which is indicated at 26, is preferably formed by suitably twisting and bending such leaf spring, and it forms a cam element onto the outer surface of which the locking plate 25 is adapted to ride when the tubing section 5 is turned so that the locking plate or dog 25 is forced outwardly into gripping engagement with inner surface of the well casing 6 for locking the springs 18, collars 16 and 17 and arm 22 against further turning movement relative to the well casing. The threaded sleeve 14 preferably frictionally engages the tubing section 5 so as to be turned by the latter until the locking plate 25 firmly engages the well casing 6, whereupon the tubing section 5 may rotate in and relative to the sleeve 14 and collars 16 and 1.7 for allowing the latter and the arm 22 carried thereby to remain stationary under the action of the locking plate 25. On the other hand, the collars 19 and 20 are preferably loosely disposed on the tubing section. 5 so that the slight frictional engagement of the springs 21 with the well casing 6 will prevent turning of the collars 19 and 20 with the tubing section 5 and thereby permit the locking plate 25 to ride in between the offset portion 26 and the well casing 6 as indicated in Figure 4. It will thus be seen that the frictional engagement with the well casing 6 is suflicient to maintain the collars 16 and 17 and 19 and 20, together with the parts carried thereby, spaced from and positioned above the sleeve 14 as shown in Figure 1 when the well tubing is lowered into the well casing 6. In other words, the springs 18 and 21 are not solely relied upon to restrain the arm 22 against rotation with the tubing section 5, but, on the contrary, the locking plate 25 serves this function so that, by reason of the slight frictional engagement of the springs with the well casing 6, wear of said springs will be minimized.

Assuming that the tubing has been lowered into the'well casing and that the parts are in their positions as illustrated in Figure 1, the bleeder valve 9 may be unseated for bleeding the tubing 5 by first elevating the latter until the threaded sleeve 14 engages the collar 17, whereupon the tubing is rotated until the lug 23 is brought into engagement with the arm 22 as shown in Figure 2; Upon continued turning of the well tubing. the collars 16 and 17 and the at tached springs 18 are caused to turn until'the locking plate 25 rides ontothe offset portion 26' of the adjacent spring 21 and is forced into locking engagement with the inner surface. of the well casing 6. The collars 16 and 17 are then positively restrained from further rotation so that the arm 22 is maintained stationary for holding the threaded sleeve l lagainst turning whereby, upon con- .tinued turning. of'the well tubing, there is a relative longitudinal displacement causedbetween the threaded sleeve M- and the tubing sect-ion 5 so. as to cause the lower end of the striking member or flared lower portion 15 of the sleeve 14 to be brought into engagement with the valve 9 and thereby cause the latterto be dis-lodged by. destruction of the fragile means or connection 11. As soon as the-valve 9- is displaced, the fluid will pass outwardly through the opening in the seat member 8 and will be drained from the pump tubing.

The pump, tubing 5 is provided with an enlargement or lug 27 directly below the bleeder valve, and this lug forms an external stop which is engaged by the lower end of the flared sleeve portion or striking member 15 for preventing the threaded sleeve 1 from being threaded entirely off" of the enlargement 13 after causing displacement of the bleeder valve 9.

While the locking vdevice embodying the plate 25 and the offset element 26has been herein disclosed as especially servicable in connection with tubing bleeders and warticularly with tubing bleeders of the type herein disclosed, itis nevertheless to be understood that the invention, in so far as this locking feature is concerned, is not limited to tubing bleeders, the locking device being equally as well adaptable for use upon other devices where the same may be of service, such as upon swabs, packers and numerous other devices.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the construction and operation as well as the advantages of the present invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Minor changes may be made without de parting from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

VVhat- I claim as new is 2- 1. A. tubing bleeder for wells including a tubing section having a side opening, a bleeder valve closing said opening, fragile means retaining said valve in closed position, a member engageable with the valve tion of said fragile means, and means for displacing said member, said member theplacing means including a sleeve threaded on.

the tubing section and operatively associated with said displaceabl'e member, an outwardly projecting lug on said threaded sleeve, a pair of relatively rotatable frames rotatably and slidably mounted on the tubing section above the bleeder valve and adapted for frictional engagement with the inner surface of a well casing whereby the frames are elevated from the bleeder valve when the tubing section islowered into the well casing and one of the frames is held against rotation when the tubing section is rotated, means operable upon turning of the-other frame relative to said one frame to lock said other frame'against continued turning with the tubing section relative to the well casing, and an arm rigid with said other frame and disposed to engage the lug on the threaded sleeve when the tubing section is elevated whereby turning of the tubing sec tionwill effect turning of said other frame until locked and will then effect movement of the threaded sleeve on the tubing section and displacement of the displaceable member and the valve.

2. In combination, a tubing section, a pair of relatively rotatable frames rotatably and slidably mounted on the tubing section and adapted for frictional engagement with the inner surface of a well casing whereby one of the frames is held against rotation when the tubing sectionis rotated, non-positive means for causing the other'frame to rotate with the tubing section when the lat,- ter is rotated, means operable upon turning of said other frame relative to said one frame to lock said'other frame against continued turning with the tubing section. rela tive to the well. casing.

v 3. In combination, a tubing section, a pair of relatively rotatable frames rotatably and slidably mounted on the tubing section and adapted for frictional engagement with the inner surface of a well casing whereby one of the frames is held against rotation when the tubing section is rotated, non-positive means for causing the other frame to rotate with the tubing section when the latter is rotated, means operable upon turning of said other frame relative to said one frame to lock said other frame against continued turning with the tubing section relative to the well casing, said last named means embodying a sleeve threaded on the tubing secion and having a rigid outwardly projecting lug thereon, and an arm rigid with said,

other frame and disposed to engage the lug on the threaded sleeve when the tubing section is elevated.

4. In combination a tubing section, a pair of relatively rotatable frames rotatably and slidably mounted on the tubing section and adapted for frictional engagement with the inner surface of a well casing whereby one of the frames is held against rotation when the tubing section is rotated, non-positive means for causing the other frame to rotate with the tubing section when the latter is rotated, means operable upon turning of said other frame relative to said one frame to lock said other frame against continued turning with the tubing section relative to the well casing, said frames embodying pairs of collars rotatably and slidably mounted on the tubing section and respectively connected by longitudinally extending outwardly bowed leaf springs, and said locking means embodying elements associated with certain of said springs.

5. In combination, a tubing section, a pair of relatively rotatable frames rotatably and slidably mounted on the tubing section and adapted for frictional engagement with the inner surface of a well casing whereby one of the frames is held against rotation when the tubing section is rotated, non-positive means for causing the other frame to rotate with the tubing section when the latter is rotated,means operable upon turning of said other frame relative to said one frame to lock said other frame against continued turning with the tubing section relative to the well casing, said frames embodying pairs of collars rotatably and slidably mounted on the tubing section and respectively connected by longitudinally extending outwardly bowed leaf springs, and said locking means embodying elements associated with certain of said springs, said locking elements embodying a locking plate loosely attached to a spring of one frame and an inwardly offset and tangentially disposed intermediate por-- tion of a spring of the other frame onto which the locking plate is adapted to ride for being forced outwardly into engagement with the well casing.

6. In combination, a tubing section, a pair of relatively rotatable frames rotatably and slidably mounted on the tubing section and adapted for frictional engagement with the inner surface of a well casing whereby one of the frames is held against rotation when the tubing section is rotated, non-positive means for causing the other frame to rotate with the tubing section when the latter is rotated, means operable upon turning of said other frame relative to said one frame to lock said other frame against continued turning with the tubing section relative to the well casing, said frames embodying pairs of collars rotatably and slidably mounted on the tubing section and respectively connected by longitudinally extending outwardly bowed leaf springs, and said locking means embodying elements associated with certain of said springs, the collars of "one frame being disposed between the collars of the other frame.

7. In a tubing bleeder for wells, a tubing section having an opening, a bleeder valve element closing said opening, fragilemeans retaining said valve element in closed posi-- tion, and means operable upon turning of the tubing section for releasing said valve element by destruction of said fragile means, said last named means embodying a sleeve threaded on the tubing section and havlngv an enlarged end portion free from contact with the tublng, movable into engagement with the valve for releasing or displacing the latter.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ELMER D. SMYSER 

